by USA TODAY Sports , USA TODAY

by USA TODAY Sports , USA TODAY

The University of Oklahoma has suspended the leading tackler on its football team, junior Frank Shannon, for a year.

This spring The Oklahoman obtained a Title IX sexual assault allegation report that accused Shannon of trying to have intercourse in January with a woman who had not consented.

University president David Boren released a statement Monday afternoon that read:

"The University of Oklahoma has been asked repeatedly by the media about the outcome of the internal disciplinary proceedings relating to Frank Shannon. As permitted by Federal privacy laws in matters such as these, the University is allowed to disclose its institutional processes and its final decisions. This process includes the Title IX Office inquiry, a hearing panel comprised of faculty and staff, and an appeal to the chief student affairs officer. This process was completed on June 18th. The final decision of the internal disciplinary process was suspension of the student for one year. Federal privacy law and other legal considerations prohibit me from discussing the case further.

"The University is unable to enforce its process at this time. The University has and is taking every legal step possible to move this process forward. The University is currently seeking to enforce its decision so that it may be in compliance with federal law requiring responses by institutions to such matters in a timely manner. With the fall semester beginning August 18, time is of the essence."

Shannon had a team-high 92 tackles last season, including seven for losses, and helped give the Sooners perhaps the nation's best linebacking corps entering the 2014 season.